The Tampa Rays have pitching to deal, according to Marc Tompkin of the Tampa Bay Times, and they might use that pitching to bolster their offense. In particular, Tompkin suggests that the Rays might be willing to part with either Jeff Niemann or Wade Davis for Cubs' catcher Geovany Soto.
Done. We'll send over the paperwork tomorrow.
If the Cubs could land either of those two pitchers for Soto, I'd do it in a heartbeat. As they say, you can never have too much pitching.
As for Soto, sure he won Rookie of the Year in 2008, but he has been up-and-down and injury prone ever since. He is set to "earn" $4.3 million in 2012, his second year of arbitration, which is more than either Niemann (either $2.75 or $3.2 million, depending on the arbitor) or Davis ($1.5 million) is expected to make.
Soto may benefit from a change of scenery and, as I've said before, I would like to see what Welington Castillo could do in the starting role (with Steve Clevenger as the backup).
Niemann, who turns 29 in February, is the more experienced of the two pitchers, posting a career 4.16 ERA (97 ERA+) in 506.1 IP in the majors. The 4th pick overall in the 2004 draft, Niemann has a 6.7 K/9 rate while only allowing 2.9 BB/9.
Davis was a 3rd round selection in 2004 and has a career 4.22 ERA (92 ERA+) in 388.1 IP. He has struck out only 5.9 per 9, while allowing 3.2 walks per 9, but is about 2 1/2 years younger than Niemann. He is signed through 2014 ($2.8 million for 2013 and $4.8 million for 2014), with options for 2015 ($7 million), 2016 ($8 million) and 2017 ($10 million).
While Niemann has better overall stats, he is still arbitration eligible for two more years. Davis is younger and is cost controlled through at least 2014. Still, I think either one would be a fine addition to the Cubs.
I wouldn't get your hopes up though, as it sounds like Tompkin's article was mostly speculation. But, after living through the nightmare that was the 2011 Cubs starting rotation, its nice to fantasize about having some quality pitching (and depth) in 2012.
Dude, you're almost always on the money, but the quotes around "earned" are unnecessary. Whether he made a buck or a billion, he earned every penny last summer. I think Geo did pretty damn well handling the "pitching staff",the useless "pitching coach" last year and the untold amounts of BS a catcher for a losing team has to tolerate from a MLB "umpire". Yeah, he needs a new team, but don't blame him (or others) for being overpaid...Ahem, I am looking at YOU Crane
ReplyDeleteMr. Mike,
ReplyDeleteYou're right the quotes were probably unnecessary, as I was looking more at his offense than his overall play.
Bottom line is that I think that Welington Castillo can develop into a fine catcher and a decent replacement for Soto. He may not hit as much, but I think his defense will be better.
That (and the fact that our pitching sucked last year) is why I'm willing to trade Soto for more pitching.
Mark
Agreed... But instead of these guys (Davis or Niemann) I would think Jurjens would be a better bet for a rebuilding team? He's probably an ACL blowout waiting to happen, though.
DeleteKeep up the good work!
I would not be happy with either of those players as the sole return for Soto. Niemann is interesting, but I'll pass on Wade Davis. Niemann has only matched Soto's average WAR of 2.5 once in his career and that was in 2009. Davis has topped 1.0 just once and honestly doesn't deserve to be in a major league rotation with his miserable command.
ReplyDeleteSoto led all catchers in wOBA in 2010, I'm not willing to just dismiss that. I would much rather see how he does this year and sell high at the break.
Actually the conversation is more around the Cubs sending Soto and a prospect(s) for either of these 2. Major league starters are not cheap.
DeleteWhere is this conversation taking place? I thought there was just speculation from one writer in Tampa.
DeleteWade Davis doesn't qualify as a ML starter, we have our own Wade Davis in the form of Randy Wells.
Top of the rotation major league starters are not cheap, innings eaters on the other hand are valuable, but not as valuable as a power hitting, high OBP catcher.
I can't imagine the Cubs would send Soto plus prospects for a guy in Niemann who has never posted an FIP below 4.00. Again, we have Randy Wells already on this roster.